Kate Martin hit a contested 3-pointer from 24 feet while absorbing contact, energizing the Chase Center crowd. The shot arrived as a once 20-point Golden State lead had shrunk to five early in the fourth quarter. Fans reacted loudly and the arena atmosphere turned decisively in Golden State's favor. Injured Caitlin Clark, who had been encouraging teammates, reacted by throwing her hands up and sitting down. Martin's basket triggered a 20-13 Valkyries run that finished the game and secured a comfortable home victory before a sellout crowd. Coach Natalie Nakase praised Martin's knack for momentum plays and her consistent readiness and smile.
On Sunday, with the looking shaky as a once 20-point lead shrank to just five early in the fourth quarter, the second-year guard rose from the left wing and buried a 3-pointer from 24 feet away while absorbing contact from Fever guard Aerial Powers in her landing space. The roar was instant. A wall of noise reverberated from the nosebleeds down to the courtside seats. Fans stood up in unison, high-fiving each other and stomping on the ground as if the shot slammed the door shut on the Fever.
Kate is kind of notorious for momentum plays," Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said. "Those are huge momentum plays and things where the crowd can get behind us. You can kind of say that it puts a little bit of pressure on the opponent when that happens. "Credit to Kate for knocking that down and she does it with a smile. She's always ready to play no matter what, no matter when, no matter where, no matter who she's facing. She does a great job.
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